Best Exterior Paint Colors for Chicago Homes
Exterior color is the first thing people notice about a house, and in Chicago it has to work with brick, limestone, older frame siding and a climate that swings from humid summers to snowy winters. This guide covers the best exterior paint colors for Chicago homes, how to choose a palette that suits your house style and which shades hold up best outdoors.
The Short Answer
What are the best exterior paint colors for Chicago homes? Classic, slightly muted colors work best on most Chicago homes: warm whites and creams for trim, deep greens, charcoals, navy and warm grays for siding and doors, and earthy reds or bronzes as accents. Choose colors that complement the fixed materials on your house, such as brick, stone and roofing, and test samples outside in both sun and shade before deciding.
Start with what you cannot change
Most Chicago houses have materials that will not be painted: red or tan brick, limestone sills, greystone fronts, asphalt or slate roofs and stone foundations. The best exterior color scheme is chosen to suit those materials rather than fight them. A cool gray can make warm orange brick look dull, while a warm cream or deep green trim can make it glow.
Look at the undertones of your brick and roof in daylight, then pull trim and door colors that either blend with or gently contrast them.
Colors that suit common Chicago house styles
- Brick bungalows: cream, ivory or warm white trim with a deep green, oxblood or black front door.
- Greystones: crisp white or soft gray trim, black or bronze accents on doors and railings.
- Victorian and Queen Anne frame houses: layered palettes with a main body color, a lighter trim color and a darker accent for details.
- Workers cottages and two-flats: warm grays, sage greens or muted blues with white trim.
- Mid-century and suburban homes: clean whites, charcoals and greige with natural wood or bold door colors.
- Newer homes with siding: modern neutrals such as warm white, greige, charcoal and navy.
How Chicago weather affects exterior color
Strong summer sun fades exterior paint, and darker, more saturated colors tend to show fading sooner, especially on south- and west-facing walls. Very dark colors on siding also absorb heat, which can stress some materials. Lighter and mid-tone colors are more forgiving over time.
Winter light is lower and grayer, so colors often look cooler and darker from November to March. Test samples should be viewed at different times of day and, if possible, on a cloudy day as well as a sunny one.
Tips for choosing an exterior palette
- Choose three colors: a main body color, a trim color and an accent for the door and details.
- Paint large sample boards, at least two feet square, and view them against the house.
- Remember that colors look lighter outdoors than on a small chip indoors.
- Look at neighboring houses so your color fits the street without matching it.
- Check condo association, HOA or landmark district rules before choosing.
- Pick a quality exterior paint with good fade resistance, especially for darker colors.
Painting brick and masonry
Many Chicago homeowners ask about painting brick. It can refresh a tired facade, but once brick is painted it will need repainting in the future, and it must be done with breathable masonry coatings after the surface is cleaned and dry. Limewash and mineral paints are options for a softer, more traditional look. Unpainted historic brick in good condition is often best left alone.
Our exterior painters in Chicago can help you test colors on your house and recommend products suited to your siding, trim and masonry.
Frequently asked questions
Warm whites, creams and soft ivories are classic choices for red brick. Deep green, black or dark bronze trim can also look striking. Avoid stark cool whites if the brick has strong orange tones.
Generally, yes. Deep, saturated colors tend to show fading sooner in direct sun, especially on south- and west-facing walls. Using a premium exterior paint with good fade resistance helps.
Most houses look best with three: a body color, a trim color and an accent color for the front door and details. Victorian homes sometimes use four or more to highlight ornamental trim.
Late spring through early fall, when temperatures and humidity are right and surfaces are dry. See our guide to the best time to paint an exterior in Chicago for details.
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